shaman
Americannoun
noun
-
a priest of shamanism
-
a medicine man of a similar religion, esp among certain tribes of North American Indians
Other Word Forms
- shamanic adjective
Etymology
Origin of shaman
First recorded in 1690–1700; from German Schamane, from Russian shamán, probably from Evenki šamān, samān or another Tungusic language, perhaps ultimately via an intermediary such as Tocharian B from Sanskrit śramaṇá- “ascetic, monk”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"May all that is bad dissolve into the river and never return," the shaman chanted.
From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026
Spear dies a hero at the second season’s close, only for a shaman to reanimate him in the third season premiere as a zombie.
From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026
Dr. Kelson, a shaman, sculptor and anthropologist, insists that even the infected still share a common humanity.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2025
Princess Märtha Louise of Norway has married American self-styled shaman Durek Verrett in a wedding that has divided the country.
From BBC • Aug. 31, 2024
He realized that she was some kind of shaman when she said: "Never let someone tell you that you can't do it."
From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
